The Cost of Discipeship

“The cost of Discipleship”

Luke 14:25-35

Introduction.

-          We all love a bargain; that is why most stores have specials in days like these: Labor Day weekend specials. And that is why music companies sent you mailing telling you that if you commit to buying just five records in the next two years they will give to you absolutely free 13 tapes or CD’s.

-          Jesus asks for everything that matters as the price for discipleship.

1.      Discipleship cost much suffering.

1. Discipleship is the following of Jesus.
2. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

2.      Discipleship cost all possessions.

1. In the same way, any of you who do not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

3.      Discipleship cost your relations, even your life.

1. Our families are important to all of us. Whether you have a very close family or not you value the love of those people who love you without pre conditions.
2. [1 John 4:7-8]  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
3. Jesus ethics call us to love our families, in fact He call us to love, even our enemies.
4. Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.

4.      You must count the cost before beginning.

1. The worthy disciple counts the cost and is willing to give up all for his or her Lord.
2. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
3. “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

5.      A disciple without discipleship is useless.

1. The call to discipleship is an all or nothing proposition. This is not about making miracles so that people will follow, this is not about feeling good enough to follow, this is not about having power and all prayers answered in order to follow. This is about evaluating the call of Christ and making a decision for Jesus as Lord. It is about considering the value of the call and the price of following.
2. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”